Air and water spray for dental engines



Nov. 28, 1950 R. J. BROUSSARD ETAL 2,532,054

AIR AND WATER SPRAY FOR DENTAL ENGINES Filed April 30, 1948 2Sheets-Sheet 1 /99 Fig. 5

Inventors Rene J. Broussard Joseph 6. Til/y N 8, 1950 R. J. BROUSSARDETAL 2,532,054

AIR AND WATER SPRAY OR DENTAL ENGINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 30,1948 Inventors Rene J. Broussard Joseph 6. Til/y E] @6? MW AttorneysPatented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE AIR AND WATER SPRAYFOR DENTAL ENGINES Application April 30, 1948, Serial No. 24,335

4 Claims. I This invention appertains to novel and useful improvementsin attachments for use in association with dental equipment.

. An object of this invention is to spray selec tively air and air mixedwith liquid to a zone adjacent a drill or other dental apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved means forcarrying out the above mentioned functions, which improved meansincludes solenoid actuated valves to be electrically connected with acircuit, forming a portion thereof, which includes the motor for drivingor actuating the conventional dental apparatus.

A still further object of this invention is to selectively control theflow of fluid, whether it be air solely or air and liquid, by a manuallyoperative valve which is conveniently located and accessible.

' Another object of this invention is to provide a simplified device ofthe character to be described which lends itself well to commercialmanufacture and which is efiicient in operation.

Ancillary objects and features of novelty will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art, in following the description of the preferred formof the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a portion of the invention, showingportions schematically and showing the invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a sectional View of certain details of construction;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the invention shown in Figure 2, showing onlythe valve and liquid container construction;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of a portion of a dental apparatusutilized in association with the invention;

Figure 5 is an elevational view showing another type of dental apparatuswhereon the invention is applied;

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the manually operative valve structureforming a portion of the invention, and;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the valve illustrated in Figure 6,showing the core in a different position.

I This invention has been provided in order to supply dental apparatussuch as that used in drilling, cleaning, buffing or sanding teeth, withan attachment whereby a fluid may be supplied adjacent the cuttingportion of the tool. This fluid may be air only or a mixture of air andliquid as desired.

The attachment is interwoven with the consaid Lelia Gonsoulin ventionalapparatus in such a manner as to be rendered operative when the drilland the like are operative. A conventional switch is utilized for such apurpose,

A solenoid actuated valve structure is supplied in a suitable support inorder to control the flow of fluid to a receptacle or fluid container. Aspecially provided valve is associated with the container in order todirect the fluid to the discharge nozzle or direct the fluid first inasso ciation with the interior of the liquid container and then to thedischarge nozzle. By such means the issuing fluid is of the selectivitydescribed hereinbefore.

Referring now to Figure 1 it will be seen that a conventional apparatusis illustrated including a housing Ill having a motor l2 therein inorder to drive a flexible shaft l4. This flexible shaft extends througha conventional linkage [6 which supports a head l8. This head [8 has atool 20 attached thereto with a grinding disk 22 rigidly securedthereto. As is conventional in the apparatus a second type of headgenerally indicated at 24 may be supplied in lieu of the head l8 and adrill 26 may extend from this head. The usual attachment means generallyindicated at 28 is supplied on each of the heads in order to detachablyengage with a complemental attaching means in the linkage constructionl6. This portion of the illustration is entirely conventional.

Referring now to Figure 2 it will be seen that a support generallyindicated at 30 is supplied with a valve body member 32 therein. Thisvalve body member includes a pair of valve chambers 34 and 36respectively, the last mentioned chamber having a conduit 38 incommunication therewith. This conduit also communicates with a suitableair supply providing means which is known in the dental art and trade.

A conventional solenoid coil 39 is supplied within a'small housing 40.This small housing 40 has a sleeve 42 positioned therein and a bonnet 44thereover. The bonnet 44 has a cover 45 attached thereto through themedium of a conventional screw 48 or the like and this cover seats on asleeve type bearing member 50 which in turn seats upon a nipple 52. Thesaid nipple is supplied witha reduced threaded terminal portion which isreceived in the valve body mem.

ber 32. A conventional gasket or packing member 5t is interposed betweena shoulder formed on the said nipple 52, and on a peripheral flange 58of the said valve body member 32.

A solenoid core or armature 60 is reciprocably 3 received within thesleeve 42, being actuated in a conventional manner by means of thesolenoid coil 39. Of course, electrical conductors 64 and 66 extend fromthe solenoid field coil and project through a suitable socket 68.

Referring now to Figure 1 it will be seen that. the conductor 64 leadsto the dental motor I2 and a terminal 199 of a foot actuated switch tobe described subsequently. The terminal 56 is fed through this switch atthe pole 12 to the dental motor I2 and to be employed by means of theplug I90 (also to be described'subsequently) The switch is toselectively use. the motor in a conventional manner or with theinvention, as desired.

The support '39 has an opposed solenoid field coil I6 seated in asuitable bushing I8. An outer case or cover 89 encircles the field coil5 5 and is attached to the support 39 by any suitable means. A sleeve 82may be positioned within the housing 78' and also within the field coil[5. The usual armature or core at is reciprocably received in the sleeve82, extending between an. internally turned flange 85 of the cover 881-A partition 8-8 is provided in. the valve body portion 321 thus definingthe said chambers 35' and 36. This partition has an aperture thereinwitha plug Sfi'fitted in the said aperture. A passage s2 is formed centrallyof the saidplug 9% and. seats a valve head 94 therein. The valve head.has a valve stem 96- secured thereto, which. stem is adapted to beengaged by the core 6%. Also, if. it is found desirable the core '59andvalvestem 98 may be formed integral.

The said: bushing or nipple 52 has an enlarged chamber II'IB' at one endthereof wherein a ring or washer M32 is seated. This ring has a centralaperture in order to receive the core 9&- therethrough. Also, suitableresilient biasing means such as the spring I04 is seated on the head 94and reacts on. the washer or ring Hi2 thereby resiliently biasing thevalve head 94 into engagement with the passage 92. It isnow readilyappreciated that upon actuation of the solenoid under discussion thevalve head 94 will be urged from engagement with the passage 92 therebypermitting air to pass through the chamber 38 and into the chamber 34.The said chamber 3% is supplied with a tube H9 having a flexible con.-duit H2 detachably'securedthereto. This flexible conduit H2 terminatesin attachment with a sleeve H t which is securedto a. valve structuregenerally indicated at II-B. It is apparent that the valve head and itsappurtenant mechanism is used for selectively controlling. the flow ofair to the valve structure I it.

An additional valve assembly generally indicated at I28 is supplied incommunication with the chamber 34. This valve structure includes a valvebody I22 having a central bore 24 and a poppet type valve I25reciprocably mounted therein. This poppet valve type. is actuated by thesolenoid armature 84 through the medium. of operative engagementtherewith. Gravity pulls the valve $24 to the seated or closed positionwhen the solenoid associated with the armature 83 is inoperative. As isseen in Figure 1 the conductors I28 and I33 respectively terminate in acontact I32 of the switch, which may be of the foot actuated type, andin the line 66. Thus, the

lower valve assembly I20 is rendered operative and inoperative uponselective manipulation of the switch arm I36.

The valve assembly MI]. has a T-shaped passage M2 therein. By manualoperation of the arm I46 of the valve structure II6 the air issuingthrough the conduit II2 may be selectively directed immediately through,a conduit M3. or through a liquid receptacle I50 first and then throughthe conduit I48.

The container or receptacle I50 is substantially conventional having aconventional fitting or coll'ar IE2 at the top portion thereof. Apressure dome I56 has a threaded collar associated therewith with whichis received in the collar I 52. A small partition I5! is in the dome I56and has an orifice I6Iltherein. This orifice communicates the pressuredome I56 with the interior of the liquid receptacle. A sleeve I 62extends through the partition and has a pipe I64 projecting through thecentral portion o bore thereof. Of course the pipe I 64 also projectsthrough the partition, the pipe and sleeve terminating adjacent areduced portion I66 of the pressure dome.

When. the valve structure H6 is. set. as in Figure 6 the compressed airis received in the; pressure dome and applies the pressure. to the.upper surface of the liquid therein. This forcesJa small amount ofliquid through: the pipe I64; and an amount of air through the sleeveI'62 thereby partially atomizing the same. The amount of air pressure onthe upper surface of the liquid within the container I59 is regulated bymeans of the calibrated orifice I60. Of course, someiof the air which isrefused entry into the container use by means of the orifice I66 extendsdirectly through the conduit I i-8. By this means a mixture of air andliquid issues.

When the valve structure, is set as is seen in.

Figure '7 the air takes the course of least reslstance which issubstantially entirely directly through the conduit I48. This causes theflow through the conduit I48 to be substantially entirely air.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 it-will be-seenthat a nozzle structureincluding a tube: I19 with a discharge opening at one end thereofissupplied. This maybe attached to the conventional.

head 24 by any suitable means such as by solderingo-r any other firmattaching means. It is seen that the discharge portion of the tube I10projectsa spray-on the tool 26.. Further; the end of the tube or bodymember I19 may have en largements I16 at. one end thereof in ordertoquickly and firmly attach theconduit. I 48 thereto. In Figure 4 itwill be seen that a second type of discharge nozzle is supplied. Here,the shank I'hi has a pair of bands I89 and I82 respectively attachedthereto which firmly embrace the head IS. The discharge orifice I86 atvthe terminal portion of the element I78 projects a spray adjacent and onthe grinding element 22.. The bands ice and I-82 may be welded, brazedor soldered for firm gripping as found desirable. These bands may alsobe attached. by means of rivets, screws or other fastening means in.this general. class,

In actuation of the invention the outlet plug Ice is received in anysuitable source of current and directs the current through the lines I92and.

i9 3 respectively to the motor I2 and to the contact. 72. of. theswitch. The conductor I96 extending fromthe. plug I99 terminates inthefoot actuated. switch structure.

In operation of the invention it is readily appreciated from aninspection of Figure 1 that upon utility of the. solenoid for actuationof the valve head 94 the lower solenoid. is inoperative.

5 Thus, the poppet valve I25 closes the passagein which it operates.Thus, compressed air is permitted to flow directly into the receptacleI50 or through the conduit M8 as described. However, under certainconditions of operation there will be a residual pressure within thereceptacle I50. Therefore, upon manipulation of the switch structure thelower solenoid is actuated thereby lifting the poppet valve slightly.The core 84 of the solenoid is limited in its travel through the mediumof the said flange 86 and by engagement with an arm of the support 30.Thus, in order to relieve this back pressure the lower solenoid raisesthe poppet valve I24 a predetermined amount. This permits the issuingair and liquid to be stopped substantially immediately upon the desireof the operator of the invention.

From the foregoing a clear understanding of the operation of theinvention is deemed appar ent. However, it is apparent that variationsmay be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having described the claimed as new is:

1. In dental apparatus including a head having a tool associatedtherewith, a spray nozzle attached to said head, a receptacle forretaining liquid, means for applying air pressure within saidreceptacle, means for by-passing the air, and means for conducting theby-passed air and the air from the receptacle to said nozzle, a solenoidactuated valve associated with said air conducting means to relieveresidual pressure from said receptacle, and means for controlling theactuation of said solenoid.

2. In a dental apparatus which includes a manually operative tool with aspray nozzle secured to said tool and a motor for operating said tool, avalve body member having a pair of valves disposed therein, a solenoidfor operating each of said valves, and an air inlet conduit secured tosaid valve body member and one of said valves controlling the passage ofair through said body invention, what is member, the other valverelieving residual pressure in said valve body member when operated bythe solenoid which is operatively connected therewith, and means forconducting air from said valve body member to said spray nozzle.

3. In a dental apparatus which includes a manually operative tool with aspray nozzle secured to said tool and a motor for operating said tool, avalve body member having a pair of valves disposed therein, a solenoidfor operating each of said valves, and an air inlet conduit secured tosaid valve body member and one of said valves controlling the passage ofair through said body member, the other valve relieving residualpressurein said valve body member when operated by the solenoidwhich isoperatively connected therewith, a conduit secured to said valve bodymember, a receptacle having said conduit connected therewith so that airfrom the valve body member is introduced into the receptacle, a lineextending from said receptacle to said spray nozzle and a bypass valveoperatively connected therewith so as to conduct compressed airselectively through said receptacle and into said nozzle and directlyfrom the conduit to the nozzle.

4. The combination of claim 3 and a pressure dome attached to saidreceptacle with an atomizing device disposed therein for liquid in thereceptacle.

RENE J. BROUSSARD. JOSEPH G. TILLY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 727 ,736 Basford May 12, 19032,245,036 Henschel June 10, 1941 2,420,338 Page May 13, 1947

